President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) has appointed Mr. Kayisi M’bwana Sadala as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) Limited, with effect from today.
Announcing the appointment, the President reaffirmed his commitment to placing experienced, competent and results-oriented professionals at the centre of government institutions to drive national development and economic transformation.
Mr. Sadala is a seasoned banker and accomplished corporate leader with over 30 years of experience in banking, public finance, corporate governance and institutional transformation. He currently serves as Board Chairperson of Airtel Malawi Plc, one of the country’s leading telecommunications companies, where his leadership has been instrumental in strengthening corporate performance and strategic growth.
Over the years, Sadala has also chaired and served on several strategic public institutions, including Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Limited, Lilongwe Water Board (LWB), National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) and the Competition and Fair-Trade Commission (CFTC), among others.
During President Mutharika’s 2014–2019 administration, Sadala distinguished himself as Chief Executive Officer of the Tobacco Commission (TC), where he led far-reaching reforms that strengthened regulation, improved governance and enhanced efficiency in the tobacco sector—Malawi’s backbone of foreign exchange earnings. He also played a key role in the revival of Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) as Acting CEO, spearheading financial inclusion initiatives and expanding access to banking services nationwide.
His banking career further includes senior leadership roles as Business Development Manager at CDH Bank and Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking at National Bank of Malawi (NBM), giving him deep insight into private-sector financing, enterprise development and credit management.
The appointment of Sadala reflects President Mutharika’s long-standing resolve to rise above regional, tribal and political considerations, and instead prioritize merit, experience and national interest. Hailing from Dedza District in the Central Region, Sadala’s appointment underscores the President’s inclusive leadership approach and appreciation for national unity.
With his extensive public and private sector experience, Sadala is expected to provide strategic leadership at NEEF as the institution implements the government’s economic empowerment agenda, with particular focus on youth, women, small-scale entrepreneurs and productive sectors of the economy.
Mr. Sadala holds a Master of Business Administration (Banking and Finance) from the United Kingdom, a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Malawi, and a Diploma in Development and Management of Small Businesses and Industries from Galilee College.
President Mutharika expressed confidence that Sadala’s leadership will strengthen NEEF’s role as a key driver of inclusive economic growth, job creation and national transformation.
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